USGA names 2023 award winners, including Green Section Award

The USGA has announced the 2023 recipients of its annual awards, including the Green Section Award.

Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D. is the Green Section Award honoree for introducing new technologies and processes that advance putting green construction and management.

“The game of golf is better because of the knowledge and expertise of these award winners,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “Their contributions are helping to strengthen and advance the game for all who play – and the USGA is thrilled to showcase those efforts with this year’s Annual Awards.”

The USGA will recognize the honorees at its Annual Awards Dinner in Napa, Calif., on Feb. 25, during the organization’s annual meeting, which will be held in person for the first time since 2020.

As a professor and Extension specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Gaussoin has dedicated nearly 20 years to researching critical aspects of putting green construction and management. Gaussoin’s collaborative approach has also contributed to the improvement of buffalograss, a native low-maintenance grass that requires little irrigation, has few serious pests and could advance the sustainability of golf in some regions.

Stakeholder surveys indicate a nearly 70 percent adoption of practices published by Gaussoin that reduce fossil fuel consumption and labor requirements. Gaussoin has previously received numerous awards, including the GCSAA’s Distinguished Service Award, for providing practical and applicable research to the golf industry.

Given annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award honors distinguished service to golf through an individual’s work with turfgrass.

The USGA also awarded its Joe Dey Award and Hebert Warren Wind Award to Robin Farran and James Roth for his book Bless•ed One, respectively.